The Epstein Sanctuary Stained Glass Windows and Their Story

         
     
 
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WINDOW 1
Yom Hashoah-Holocaust- representing the destruction of the Jewish communities- the flame burning the Star of David signifies that Jews have been at risk from fire, gas and various other threats. The bottom of the window shows the flames burning the Star of David and at the top shows the smoke from the burning.
WINDOW 2
Tisha b'Av-The destruction of the Temple in 70ce.   The Shin represents G-d and the flames represent the destruction of the temple along with the Ark (holy of holies)
WINDOW 3
Yom Kippur-The window shows a quill pen and book inscribing in the book of life. The colors are subdued representing praying, contemplating and meditation.
WINDOW 4
Sukkot- This window shows trees growing: the estrog and lulav, and willow and myrtle trees.   This is the beginning of the fruit crop in Israel, the New Year for the fruit trees.   This signifies the growth and constant partnership between the Jewish people and G-d.
WINDOW 5
Passover -leaving Egypt, the Red Sea split so the Jewish people could escape.
WINDOW 6
Shavuot- The giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. Signifies the act of giving the Torah, more important was the act of receiving and accepting it.
WINDOW 7
Shabbat- the flame of a single candle standing next to its companion in window 8
WINDOW 8
Shabbat- the flame of a single candle standing next to its companion in window 7. The two windows show the continuity of the Jewish people and the significant contributions of the Jewish people to world civilization.
WINDOW 9
Rosh Hashanah- signifies a scale showing how your life is held in a delicate balance, will you be sick, healthy, warm or cold. It shows how everyone is evaluated separately.   Your fate is decided and sealed in the book of life.
WINDOW 10
Rosh Chodesh- The new moon and new beginnings both spiritually and literally.
WINDOW 11
Tu b'Shevat- The fall harvest and for all the "harvests in the life of a person"
WINDOW 12
Chanukah- flames on the bottom represents the chanukah menorah - eight candles and the shamash which lights the others.   Struggle for religious freedom in the history of the world. This gave the Jewish people the right to worship as they wished and their willingness to die for this right.
WINDOW 13
Purim- showing the grogger and mask -signifies Jewish deliverance.
WINDOW 14
Establishment of the State of Israel.   The dove signifies peace and purity. The six points of the Star of David symbolize G-d's rule over the universe in all six directions. The sunshine signifies G-d's grace shown as rays of light growing wider.
Shabbat candles light up the world in windows 6 through 9
Jonah and the whale is spread over windows 8 through 13